Beauty & Fashion

I don't think I have one particular fashion type. I pretty much wear what is comfortable, affordable, looks good on, or feels good on. It's definitely changed over my years but one thing I know is I am learning everyday what I do and don't like. It all boils down to comfort with me. I'm comfortable with saying that when I look good, I feel good and it is true the same way around; when I feel good, I look good! I agree with many; where "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". especially on days I feel horrible. My husband still says I'm beautiful. He's holding onto some secret tools to see pass my flaws and bad days. There has been many things that contribute to my apparel, accessory, or cosmetic of choice; here I'll share with you my thoughts on beauty & fashion, and also why I think we should focus on being our own beholder, and see every beauty in ourselves.

My Final Thoughts on Beauty & Fashion:

Focus on being your own beholder, and see all of the beauty in you.

The Beauty of Comfort. Comfort is my Weakness!

I don't prefer being cold, in fact I'd rather be sweating bullets than be miserably cold. However with my health condition, living with Epilepsy, heat can be rough on me. I tend to be cold most of the time, so you can bet I love hats and scarfs. I was blessed enough to have an amazing Aunt, Auntie Tanya, on my husband's side that loves to knit. She does an amazing job and I can't wait to share her products with all of you!

I have a really big head. Finding the right hat or cap can be nearly impossible. I love wearing big hats because it makes my head look smaller, although my hair looks big, it's pretty thin. Many times the big hat compliments the big hair I get sometimes with my waves & curls. I think always pairing your hat with a matching scarf helps the accessories to compliment each other. Lastly, you'll always find me in a pair of shades. I don't do well with lights, brightness, or flashing. The lens helps to protect me and can help reduce inducing a seizure. These are my 3 "Go-To" accessories to help ensure I am comfortable while I'm out and about.

Julee Gould, Hat & Scarf Knitted by Auntie Tanya, 2017.

Julee Gould, Concord, Ca, 2015. Big hats shade my eyes from the sun.

Julee Gould, Hat, Gloves, and Leg Warmers.Knitted by Auntie Tanya, 2017.

I enjoy discovering apparel that is universal. It helps when it comes to packing and saving space. I use large scarfs as dresses, wraps, and skirts; and I've worn jackets, shirts, and sweaters as dresses, just throw some leggings under!

Here I demonstrated to my Auntie, how universal her knitting gifts were; and how much I loved and had fun with them. Knitting can be therapy for many, I was so happy and appreciative that Auntie Tanya thought of me when she made these.

JuJu's Tips "The Beauty in Creativity & Crafts!"

Be Open to Re-purpose:

We have all seen the price tags on apparel that look like they've been used, worn, or destroyed. Why aren't you doing the same to your old items and putting them on?
Since having my daughter, I tend to buy her the new things and re-purpose my old items to new fashion!
If you're married or have a partner/significant other/boyfriend. He'll fall in love with handing down his old t-shirts, sweaters, etc. to you.
DIY videos are life savers! If you were going to throw out those pair of jeans anyway, why not give a it a try, you may surprise yourself on how crafty you are, and how sexy those jeans look in those boots!

(Here I re-purposed a turtle necked sweater dress into a springtime outdoor 'Skater Inspired' Outfit, paired with Converse and truckers style cap.)

(The Goulds, HPMG Costume Contest, 2014)

Why spend money you don't have on costumes you will honestly only wear for this year's costume party. Re-purpose some old clothes and create priceless costumes that'll make sure you win the company's Costume Contest!

(Same re-purposed black dress from previous photo now paired with nude stilettos for date night with hubby.)

(The Goulds, Son's Wedding, 2018)

Use a large scarf as a wrap. to make any dress elegant for any occasion. Tie a small bow using the opposite sides of the scarf after you drape it over your shoulders to prevent from having to keep holding the wrap together while you're in motion.

It looks so much more elegant than wearing a jacket over your pretty dress. Shields you from the wind & rain (not waterproof), but it also hides the areas you're not comfortable showing in tight fitted dresses or clothing.

(Cut off the tubes out of your favorite tube socks before you throw those "holey" socks away, and use the tubes as an arm band to wipe off the sweat while you strength train. Thank you Nerissa for these!.)

The Beauty in Caring Less about looking "Perfect"!

Time is precious. I think Living with Epilepsy, I've lost a ton of time; if we combine all of my seizures together, I'm sure we'll get a heart breaking large number. In life many things change, and therefore you truly end up trying to cram everything you want in one day. I used to fight my sleep afraid I'm going to miss something. My husband teases me often when I get really sleepy. Please ask him to imitate me for you. There just isn't enough time in the day! NOT TRUE! We are just trying to do too much in one day.

I used to wear a ton of make-up. Foundation, cover up, layers upon layers of eye shadow, globs of mascara, blush, etc. Until I got too sick, and I didn't have the energy to even lift a brush. I was so weak some days I didn't have the energy to speak. Some seizures would leave me lethargic or numb so it was difficult to even smile. I just didn't have the time or energy in me to care about putting on make-up.

I should say that it wasn't until I met Curtis that I started to not care about how others saw me. Before my husband, I was in an abusive relationship. While in the abuse and carrying onto after getting out of it, I was very insecure. I constantly changed my hair color and styles. I wore provocative clothing to get acknowledgement from anyone including my abuser because I needed to feel I existed. When I became pregnant and had my first seizure which led to being diagnosed with Epilepsy, all the attention and acknowledgement I got for my looks turned into neglect, laughter, and even bullying. Those that made me feel like I existed, were now bothered by my existence.

"Confidence is Sexy!"

"Natural beauty isn't how beautiful you can appear with the features you have, it's the beauty you choose to embrace despite your opinion or awareness of your possible imperfections." (Julee Gould)

It was almost 3 weeks after my first date with Curtis. I was home when he called, and I couldn't come to visit him like I normally would and he couldn't understand why. "I can't explain it right now." I told him. I wasn't sure what to say to him. He responded with something like, "Alright, I get it. You don't need to explain anything." I was heart broken. I didn't want him to think it had anything to do with him. The call ended. I cried alone in bed, trying to go to sleep, because only I knew the only way to recover from my seizure is to rest. My mind wouldn't let me. My heart wouldn't stop pounding. I called him back. "Hello", he answered. I was stuck. "HELLO?" he repeated. "Do you know what Epilepsy is?" I asked. I don't remember what I said after that, but within minutes he was at my door.

(The Goulds, Ophthalmologist Office, New Rx glasses. 2018)

(The Goulds, Concord Park, 2015)

Since then, he always have my back. He has told me and reminded me many times about the beauty I have in my strength. My inspiring and determined smile through the challenges of Epilepsy and the beauty in my big heart that made him a changed man.

Find Your Uniqueness and Embrace It! The Beauty in Strength!

It took many years of practice, reminder, and encouragement for me to believe my husbands words, and listen to my own voice and vision. I've tried so hard to practice seeing things more clearly and with more openness but I never gave myself that fair chance and opportunity. I let someone else do that for me for so long that I didn't see any beauty within myself. The negativity I kept inside me, created a vision that wasn't real.

I tried to cover up my challenges, and what I thought were my flaws. It took so much time and energy out of me, to try to look like someone else. I've learned love will find its own beauty, you don't need to do the EXTRA! Just be yourself, and find your unique identity and embrace it. That is when you find beauty no other person can replicate!

(Julee Gould, Elk Grove, Ca , 2016)

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